SIR - I came to Stevenage in May 1953, and encountered some hostility but worked at W H Saunders in Bedwell Lane and over the years made many friends in the Old Town, grew to love it and sadly have outlived many of them. The reason I am writing is to add

SIR - I came to Stevenage in May 1953, and encountered some hostility but worked at W H Saunders in Bedwell Lane and over the years made many friends in the Old Town, grew to love it and sadly have outlived many of them.

The reason I am writing is to add my protest at the closing of the local post offices and the difficulties it is causing to old folk whose health is not too good. They have limbs which can get them about, but not the distance that these closures will make.

How short-sighted it is as it brought custom to other shops. Families stayed nearer so could care for their old parents. The Post Office gradually took all things away like sixpenny saving stamps, which helped to teach the young to save for what they wanted, and the low price Premium Bond which grandparents could buy for a new arrival or as a birthday gift.

Now the banks are left to bombard the young to borrow money they can ill afford, run up colossal debts because they only pay the minimum, not realising another debt is accumulating.

What used to be a wonderful Royal Mail with management of a foresighted calibre could have captured the market and had the following of the people.

Why are the better off so indifferent to the ordinary little people. Climbing up the ladder of life can be great but destiny can hit hard and you meet the same folk when life gives you a knock, so please give a little support to those trying to stop closures, as you might find you need them yourself one day.

ALICE W KEELER

St Paul's Court

Stevenage

SIR - I thought I had done my best - signed the petitions, wrote to Post Office Ltd and to Postwatch. I suspected that the European authorities overruled out parliament and now Councillor Marion Mason has given evidence of my wasted efforts. She indicated that both Tory and Labour MPs have deceived us by failing to tell us the true situation. Is this why fewer people vote in elections? Are our MPs worth a vote?

JOHN E WINDEBANK

Townsend Place

St Ippolyts